“The Church Doctor will see you now.”
“Tell me,” the doctor said, “What seems to be ailing you?”
The church shared her symptoms. Lethargy. Uncontrollable membership loss. And an unmistakeable rumbly in her tumbly.
“It’s most likely one of three common contagious church viruses.”
Self-Interitis
Self-Interitis affects virtually all declining churches.
Symptoms: Inability to make changes that […]
Some years ago, my three brothers and I got together for a family reunion. We gathered our wives and kids and traveled to a central location and spent a weekend eating, swimming, participating in a talent show but mostly just catching up on what was going on in each otherβs lives. Our kids got […]
I received this private email some time ago. I received permission to reprint it here, after making some modifications to protect the identity of the writer.
I have come to the realization that my tribe, UMC, will continue to die because our leadership at the highest level insists on people-pleasing by straddling the proverbial fence. […]
By Bill Tenny-Brittian
According to Jesus, Paul, James, Peter, and John when we confess, repent, and take reconciliation seriously we become a new creature, all the old things in our lives have passed away, and we are completely renewed. Now, hang on to that promise for a moment. Live with it. What would it mean […]
Some churches still find Focus Groups helpful in identifying the ministry needs of the market place.Β Here is my take on Focus Groups.
Β The purpose of a focus group is to identify the attitudes, concerns, issues, hopes, dreams, and needs of the group of people you have brought together for the focus group.Β From this […]
After receiving one of my church audit reports the pastor called and asked why I said they shouldn’t begin with announcements. I said to him, “Do you watch TV?” He replied, “Sure.” I said, “Do any of the programs open with all 15 minutes of commercials?” Β “No,” was his reply. “But what’s that got […]
The Time- The 16th Century
The Place- A monastery in Europe
The Setting – Two monks discussing the Gutenberg Bible
One monk says to the other one:
“I donβt think it will ever catch on. It is too hard to use. I find the old scrolls much easier to read. I can roll it out to sixteen feet […]
I go to a lot of churches and see a lot of different worship services, both contemporary and traditional. I’m constantly amazed at how many of these services seldom consider the presence of non-believers in the audience. Let me give you some examples.
I was in a church the other day that said it was […]
The issue of church multiplication is either a mystery or an unknown to most mainline pastors and denominational leaders. Most of them are simply trying to survive, so the gap between survival and multiplication is wider than the Grand Canyon.
But what would have to happen to make multiplication possible for mainline churches?
There would […]
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